This roundup of top financial news for the week presented by Matt Glova and the LifeTime Asset Management team:
Monthly Market Update, July 31, 2024
Quick Highlights:
1. Mixed Month for Stocks: Stock returns were mixed in July.
2. Bonds Positive: Falling interest rates led to positive bond returns for the third consecutive month.
3. Inflation Cools: Inflation showed signs of continued improvement during the month.
4. Improving Economic Growth: Other economic reports released during the month showed signs of improvement.
5. Risks Remain: Markets face a variety of risks in the second half of the year.
6. Encouraging Backdrop and Positive Outlook: Markets and the economy set for continued growth.
Click here to read the full monthly market report published July 31, 2024.
Weekly Market Update, July 15, 2024
Small business confidence surprised to the upside; consumer confidence missed expectations. Consumer prices were softer than expected in June, but producer prices surprised to the upside. Small-caps posted a major rally as potential rate cuts offered relief amid recent struggles. Short-term Treasuries rallied on the lower CPI report as investors locked in elevated short-term rates.
Click here to read the full weekly market report published July 15, 2024.
Weekly Market Update, July 8, 2024
Manufacturing confidence remains subdued, and exports fell 0.7 percent in May. The June employment report was in line with expectations; the Fed remains data dependent as it moves toward a potential interest rate cut in early fall. Tesla fueled the rally in mega-cap names on better-than-expected second-quarter deliveries. Treasuries rallied on the back of Fed minutes and the belief that we may be closer to an interest rate cut in September.
Click here to read the full weekly market report published July 8, 2024.
Weekly Market Update, July 1, 2024
Data came in mixed, as consumer confidence came in higher than expected, but personal spending missed expectations. Durable goods orders beat expectations, but core orders declined. Nvidia was down more than 2 percent again this week, though the broader Nasdaq Index finished positive. Long Treasuries sold off yet again, as the U.S. economy and inflation gradually slow.
Click here to read the full weekly market report published July 1, 2024.
Quarterly Market Update, June 30, 2024
Top Key Points:
1. June Rally Caps Solid Quarter for Stocks – Stocks rose for the second consecutive month.
2. Bonds Up for the Month and Quarter – Falling interest rates in June supported bond returns during the month and quarter.
3. Inflation Slows – Inflation improved in May, with major inflation metrics showing slower price growth during the month.
4. Solid Economic Growth – Economic reports released in June showed signs of continued healthy growth.
5. Market Risks to Monitor – Markets face a variety of risks in the second half of the year.
6. Positive Outlook for the Second Half – Markets and the economy are set for continued growth.
Click here to read the full quarterly market report published June 30, 2024.